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Finland

Helsinki

High Cultured Helsinki

One of the cool things about an academic
trip is that there usually time for a cultural component, and the Speech
trip was no exception. We took the middle schoolers to the national museum,
and since I had been asked to take good care of our 1 middle schooler,
I was tapped to go there. We had a chance to learn about Finnish painting
- everything from techniques and materials to the symbolism marking the
cooperation between the Lutheran and Orthodox churches. I especially liked
the looks of these weathered hands and faces.

There was also a display of funky modern
art that stood in stark contrast to the rooms of the masters. I didn't
take a picture of it, but there was a pink dancing elephant that I started
seeing on buses all over town as soon as we left the exhibit.

Statues dot the city, acting as natural
meeting points for people out and about. From above, clockwise: in the
main square by the Lutheran church, a woman with
a wolf pelt at the war memorial, the hard working hammer men (one of the
main symbols of the city), and the mermaid fountain by the port, where
people go on May Day for a ceremonial dip. Too cold for that now, though!

We saw paintings of Finland's greatest
artists and most famous myths, but my overall favorites were the full size
women carved out of solid chunks of wood. There were several of them spread
around the gallery, and they stood as mute witnesses to our visit.

OK, so not all culture was so "high."
We ran into Superman one morning outside the hotel doing his balancing
act on the low wire. Can you tell it was pretty cold?

I have a picture with me and an angry face,
but I like to smile much more!